Plant your feet: Walking through many of the more than 100 gardens on the 26th Annual Sheffield Garden Walk is like stepping into a French Impressionist painting. In addition, various stages will present everything from big band to zydeco music. Aside from the local outdoor cafes, there will be food booths, a Kid’s Corner and free architecture walks. The festival is noon to 9 p.m. (the nearby gardens are open from noon to 5 p.m.) Saturday and Sunday on Webster Street between Bissell and Kenmore Avenues. There’s a $4 donation to the neighborhood association; children under 12 and seniors are free. Call 312-929-9255.
– Steve Dale
War stories: Overhear Generals Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant plot their strategy for a big battle at Civil War Living History Days, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Grove National Historic Landmark, 1421 Milwaukee Ave. in Glenview. The mock battle commences at 2 p.m., featuring soldiers dressed in re-creations of Union and Confederate garb. Cannons will fire and the soldiers will shoot with muskets. Refreshments are available. Admission is $3, $1 children under 13. Call 708-299-6096.
– Steve Dale
Love stories: In “Dear Friends,” a 1967 play by Reginald Rose (author of “Twelve Angry Men”), three couples create a romance hotline when they try to stop a fourth one from divorcing; in the process their own marriages come under fire. “Dear Friends is scheduled to run Friday though Aug. 13. Saint Sebastian Players perform at St. Bonaventure, 1625 W. Diversey Pkwy. Call 312-404-7922.
– Larry Bommer
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Last call: There’s only one week left for the exhibition of small-scale sculpture by Anthony Caro at the Richard Gray Gallery, 620 N. Michigan Ave. Caro is Britain’s last great upholder of the modernist tradition, which here he enlivens with references to Classical architecture. The work is both challenging and a joy.
– Alan Artner
Block heading: The 10th annual “Worlds Largest Block Party” kicks off Friday with local acts Material Issue, Catherine, The Lupins and Certain Distant Suns scheduled to perform. Saturday’s bill has a more national flavor: Counting Crows, Frente! Velocity Girl, Gig-o-lo Aunts and Chainsaw Kittens will take the stage. For those whose musical tastes are truly alternative, there will also be a jazz stage. The party, to benefit Old St. Patrick’s Church, runs from 5 p.m. to midnight both days and will be at the intersection of Madison and Desplaines streets. The $25 per day admission covers the cost of all drinks; food is extra. You must be 21 to enter. Part of Madison Street will be blocked off so those younger can hang out and enjoy the music. Call 312-782-173 for more information.
– David Rothschild
That’s Chinatown: Finally, here’s your chance to learn how to use chopsticks without the rice falling into your lap. All chopstick queries can be answered at the Chinatown Summer Fair, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday in Chinatown on Wentworth Avenue between Cermak Road and 24th Street. A parade featuring lion dancers and the Jesse White Tumblers is at 12:30 p.m. Area restaurants will have food booths, and vendors will sell everything from Chinese teapots to Harley Davidson T-shirts. There will be free pony rides for children and examples of Philippine, Korean and Chinese entertainment. Admission is free. For more information, call 312-225-6198.
– Steve Dale